Add two more names to the long list of Bronx politicians caught up in scandals involving money.
This morning, Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, who represents the middle of the borough (79th District), including Morrisania and Crotona, was charged with taking bribes to help a group of developers open up a new adult daycare center, according to a criminal complaint filed by the United States Attorney’s office in Manhattan.
Nelson Castro, another Bronx assemblyman who represents the west side of the borough (86th District) including parts of University Heights and Morris Heights, was not named in the complaint. But reports say he is described in the complaint as Assemblyman-1 and agreed to cooperate with authorities after being implicated in the scheme.
According to the complaint, Stevenson accepted more than $20,000 in cash bribes, while Assemblyman-1 accepted at least one payment for $12,000.
Castro is not expected to be charged with any crimes, but, as part of his cooperation deal, the Bronx’s first Dominican representative agreed to step down as soon as the charges against Stevenson were revealed.
A staff member at Castro’s office said they would be sending out an official press release later today. Other than a barrage of media inquiries, the staffer said it was “business as usual” at their office. She added that she had “no idea” what was going to happen.
Castro and Stevenson are just the latest casualties of political corruption in the Bronx, joining the ranks of former pols Pedro Espada, Larry Seabrook, Efrain Gonzalez and Guy Velella, among others recently convicted of criminal acts.
On Tuesday, Bronx County Republican Chairman Joseph “Jay” Savino was charged with accepting a $15,000 bribe to help State Senator Malcolm Smith get on the Republican ballot as a mayoral candidate. Smith, Queens Councilman Dan Halloran and others were also charged in connection with the case.
The two cases are not connected.
Here’s more from the New York Times and Daily News. Below is the criminal complaint against Stevenson, which also details Castro’s involvement. Castro is described as Assemblyman-1.